Philadelphia Eagles' Biggest Concerns Heading into the Regular Season

Football fans across the country have been waiting for this day since Super Bowl XLVI ended on February 5. More importantly, Philadelphia Eagles fans have been waiting for this day since the last day of what was a horrible 2011 regular season.

The Eagles enter 2012 with high expectations and carry the hopes and dreams of the fifth-largest city in the United States on their shoulders.

As always, with those expectations come a few question marks.

The answers could end up making the difference between another 8-8 season and winning the team's first ever Super Bowl.

Run Defense

The Eagles run defense made it difficult for fans to watch games last year.

The team allowed an average of 4.4 yards per play on the ground, which ranked 19th in the NFL.

Philadelphia has one of the best pass rushing defensive lines in the league, but they struggle with the run.

There is a lot of depth on the line this year, especially at defensive tackle, with Cullen Jenkins, Derek Landri, Fletcher Cox and Cedric Thornton. In addition, Jason Babin and Trent Cole create one of the best defensive end combos in the league.

Nevertheless, they'll need to be helped out by the linebacker unit.

The addition of DeMeco Ryans should help plug up the middle, and rookie outside linebacker Mychal Kendricks has been impressive in the preseason as well.

Safety

Safety, seemingly, is the one position that the Eagles didn't really address in the offseason.

Poor play by the safeties cost the Eagles some games last year and it will again if things don't change.

Kurt Coleman will be the strong safety and Nate Allen will be the free safety. Coleman has shown signs that he can be a reliable safety, but he has also struggled at times.

Allen looked like he would be the team's best safety during his rookie year, but has struggled since.

The Eagles signed veteran Oshiomogho Atogwe in the offseason, supposedly creating depth and a veteran presence to help the young players learn more quickly, but the Eagles announced that they cut Atogwe after he was unable to overcome a hamstring injury.